Dog wardens who seized dozens of dogs and cats from housing estates in the town of Barceloneta in northern Puerto Rico hurled them from a bridge to their deaths.

Mayor Sol Luis Fontanez blamed a contractor hired to clear three housing estates with a no-pets policy who had been told to take the animals to a shelter. 'This is an irresponsible, inhumane and shameful act,' he said.Associated Press in Puerto Rico

Athlete, artist and guru Sri Chinmoy dies at 76

Sri Chinmoy, the Indian-born spiritual leader who performed strenuous physical feats and created art and music to spread his message of world harmony, has died aged 76 in New York.

Chinmoy used to power-lift pickup trucks and public figures such as Muhammad Ali, and slept only 90 minutes a day. In the Seventies, his Hindu-inspired discipline of prayer and meditation combined with daunting physical challenges inspired several musicians, including Carlos Santana. He had more than 7,000 disciples.